A FRESH START FOR A CLASSIC SERIES? 'THE X-FILES' COMES TO BLU-RAY

In their investigative prime: FBI agents Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) in THE X-FILES. Image: FOX.

The recent trailblazing success of CBS PARAMOUNT's STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION's release in beautiful and viewer acclaimed high definition Blu-ray has meant that other studios are now looking at their vaults and seeing what potential classic TV hits can be adapted to the format and generate further income. And it looks as if FOX will be getting out the big guns first, sometime in 2013, with the so-far rumoured release of THE X-FILES season by season, in what will surely be a labour of love job, ditching the fuzzy film to video converted prints of old and presenting pristine made on film transfers, going back to the original camera negatives and starting from scratch, along with new or upgraded optical effects. The series wasn't made in widescreen until Season Five, but who cares when the potential picture quality of those early best seasons will look sooo much better, and with the kind of presentation they should have had when they originally aired. The chance for additional behind the scenes material should also be eagerly anticipated.

Here's also hoping that THE X-FILES gets the kind of sales success that might help jump start the franchise back into live-action motion, what with the recent desires of creator Chris Carter and the cast to do one more movie-hopefully with FOX giving them a bigger, better production budget this time, and with a storyline that hearkens back to the original tone of the series and the alien conspiracy. Or perhaps something entirely new with nods to the past?

The truth remains to be found...

GOODBYE, LARRY HAGMAN...

The world is not enough! The late, great Larry Hagman as charismatic evil-doer J.R. Ewing in DALLAS. Image: ULIKE. 

He'd been a well recognised face on TV throughout the sixties (most notably in the fantasy comedy I DREAM OF JEANNIE) and into the seventies, but for worldwide fans of the hit series DALLAS, American actor Larry Hagman, who sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 81, will always be remembered for his brilliant and truly iconic portrayal of corrupt and corrupting Texan oil millionaire and feuding next generation family matriarch J.R. Ewing. It was a TV performance seemingly tailor made for his fine talents as an actor, as he brought such a lot of nuance and subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, villainy to a part-the baddie we all truly loved to hate- that helped redefine the soap opera genre in TV and give it a massive quality injection. J.R. was everything soap-dom could ever have wanted in a baddie: multi-layered, greedy, ruthless, a family man yet a complete bastard to his loved ones, and always needing to have the last word in everything. And whenever he gave us that wicked smile, we all smiled too and enjoyed his deviousness. He was the only man in his unique universe who could make nastiness so much fun...

Certainly the best thing about the TNT channel's resurrected DALLAS series of this year, his character out of the retirement home and his eyes lit up once more whenever the words "oil" and "profit" were mentioned by his son and heir, John Ross, it was a building return to form for the big hatted entrepreneur. It's sad that such two distinctive greats- J.R. and Hagman, a much liked and respected talent in the Hollywood industry and a dedicated family man- are now gone.

They'll be very sadly missed...

Dallas star Larry Hagman dies aged 81 after battle with cancer | Mail Online

HAPPY 49th BIRTHDAY, 'DOCTOR WHO'

The adventures begin. Ian Chesterton (William Russell), Susan (Carole Ann Ford), Barbara Wright (Jacqueline Hill) and the mysterious Doctor (William Hartnell) only just escape 100, 000 BC in the very first DOCTOR WHO story. Image: BBC. 

49 years ago today, a mysterious old man named The Doctor and his power humming police box were discovered within an abandoned junk yard in the mist shrouded Totter's Lane of 1963 London, by two concerned young school teachers, Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright, whose curiosity would quickly get the better of them in their investigations into the Unearthly Child that was their unique and adult beyond her years pupil, Susan Foreman. Kidnapped, unwillingly whisked off into the fourth dimension of Time and Space by Susan's at-first hostile and seemingly alien "Grandfather", Chesterton and Wright were soon part of the time-travelling duo's new family and thrust into a series of exciting, dangerous adventures: their first back in Earth's past, forced to create fire for warring tribesman, then a trip into the far future, on a long dead world-the planet Skaro-as the fearsome metal encased monstrosities of hate and prejudice- the Daleks-made their ground-breaking premiere appearance, soon terrorising and fascinating audiences, especially inquisitive children, with their xenophobic plans for destruction.

Doctor Who Every Title Sequence (1963-2011) - YouTube

It was thought that this new show from in-house drama genius Sydney Newman and relatively inexperienced producer Verity Lambert: DOCTOR WHO, ridiculed and often looked down on over the years by the BBC drama department, would only last thirteen episodes in that monochrome first season. But now, after all these years, look what it has become, with eleven actors having portrayed the title role, multitudes of companions accompanying him in the Time Lord's travels in the TARDIS, legions of terrifying monsters, aliens fought and beaten, and umpteen trips into the time and space vortex visiting Earth, the universe and beyond. DOCTOR WHO the TV series has endured and defied the odds, the critics and changing audience fads, remaining as popular today with worldwide family audiences as it was in those early potential packed days of its launch.

It's a true British institution-a show that's as indomitable as the dedicated casts, writers and behind the scenes crews over the years that have joined forces so imaginatively to make it the special and enduring curiosity it is. And with a spectacular 50th Anniversary year of celebrations ahead, including two ambitious specials (one of which will chart the shows genesis), the second half of Matt Smith's third starring year on the show, the return of old enemies and a plethora of celebratory memorabilia (including the BBC's re-release of eleven specially chosen classic books from their original stories range, plus the final wave of classic DVD releases), the party's only just begun...

Check out today's official BBC page: BBC - Blogs - Doctor Who - Happy Anniversary, Doctor!

THE END IS NIGH. 'DAMAGES' SEASON FIVE

A case too far? The stakes have never been higher, or more deadly, for Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne) and Patty Hewes (Glenn Close) in the fifth and final season of DAMAGES. Images: DIRECTV.

She's taken on some of the most powerful, influential and corrupt businessmen and women in the world. She's been shot, stabbed and car rammed by family and friends who have felt the sharp end of her mind and tongue in pursuit of her own set of unique ideals, but now manipulative and hierarchical super lawyer/super bitch Patty Hewes, as always brilliantly played by Glenn Close, goes into battle against one of her own, her once protege and confidante, Ellen Parsons (Rose Byrne), as the final series of the hit legal thriller series DAMAGES goes out on a memorable high with its critically well received fifth and final season of ten episodes, recently aired on the American DIRECTV channel and likely to arrive on British airwaves, via DVD from SONY HOME ENTERTAINMENT, in the new year.

Getting her own back after having been betrayed once too often during Season Four's investigation into a corrupt arms dealer, former military man (John Goodman) and his High Star corporation, Parsons takes part in the legal battle against Hewes by her son, Michael (Zachary Booth), to win back his daughter in a custody battle, but as the fireworks and cat scratching begins, an even bigger case breaks out that will overshadow their personal events and ego clashes, one that will hurtle them all back into a new web of deceit and intrigue, as well as even greater danger for the pair, both personally and professionally, as a brutal murder sees them put everything on the line for one last time.

Patti Hewes takes on the defence for the Wikileaks-esque whistleblower character of Channing McClaren (Ryan Phillippe).

Trailer: Damages Season 5 Official Trailer - YouTube

No strangers in using today's controversial headlines to craft intriguing and atmospheric storytelling, series writers and creators Todd A. Kessler, Glenn Kessler and Daniel Zelman start their final year with the mother of game-changing, shock opening episode teases, as we quickly enter the shadowy and criminal world of super banks, whistleblowers, the controversies surrounding freedom of information, and the price of fame, all of which merge into a river of blood, pain and falsehoods. The very domain in which Patty Hewes has thrived and been consumed by for so long...

Look out for more on the final season of DAMAGES on the KOOL TV site in the not too distant future...

BACK ON THE PATH OF VENGEANCE! 'HELL ON WHEELS' SEASON TWO

Go ahead, make his day! Anson Mount returns as trigger finger ready Cullen Bohannon in HELL ON WHEELS Season Two. Images: AMC.

Thinking that he'd finally put to rest his considerable revenge against the ex-Union soldiers that had previously butchered his wife during the long and bloody Civil War, enigmatic and pragmatic western hero and practical overseer of the mighty American Transcontinental Railway construction project, known by its belittled workers as "Hell on Wheels", the lone gunman figure of Cullen Bohannon (played by the equally enigmatic Anson Mount-the only man on modern television who can make wearing a beard actually look cool!) got the shock of his life when he discovered that the final perpetrator he had sought and killed suddenly turned out to be the wrong man after all, resulting in his once again fleeing his re-established life and prospects to become an on-the-road fugitive. Such is the starting scenario for the new stirring, plains travelling second season of the hit AMC series HELL ON WHEELS, created by Tony and Joe Gayton, beginning its exclusive UK premiere on the TCM channel in January (though sadly not properly transmitted by the them in full widescreen or in HD! C'mon, guys and gals, get with the modern viewing programme!), as Cullen now becomes part of a posse of sturdy and cruel hearted train robbers. But  a series of circumstances will soon put him back on track with his former payroller: hard-eyed and resourceful industrialist Thomas "Doc" Durant (the always terrific character actor Colm Meaney, who has that twinkle in his eyes that can be either cruel or kind, or both!) and his new business partner, and once possible love interest for Cullen, Lily Bell (the lovely Dominique McElligott). now over her late architect husband's death from American Indians and determined to carve a name and future for herself in a business domain of the time mainly controlled by men. Meanwhile, former slave Elam Ferguson (subtly played with dignity by Common), a man of intelligence and overall decency in a harsh world, is getting his life in order but is dragged back into Cullen's affairs, in a not always for the good way, as the train robbing posse want their revenge on their once compatriot and plan to descend on the railroad enterprise. Oh, and then there's that scary Swede, Thor Gundersen (payed with mirth and menace by the brilliantly distinctive Christopher Heyerdahl), ex-enforcer to Durant, who wants revenge against Cullen and the Railway/towns-folk that ran him tar-feathered and beaten out of his lucrative and ball-busting black market enterprises. Just how he'll put his bone-cruching fingers into the mix is yet to be seen, but we know it'll be very bad for everyone...

American history in the making. The characters of HELL ON WHEELS. L-R: Thomas Durant (Colm Meaney), Lily Bell (Dominique McElligott), Elam Ferguson (Common), and Cullen (Anson Mount).

Hell on Wheels - Season 2 Trailer - YouTube
Hell on Wheels Season 2 Preview - Interview with Common and Anson Mount - YouTube
Christopher Heyerdahl on UR - YouTube

With more money being spent on the series than ever before (nice to see, too, as Season One did look a little under-funded in certain production areas), and especially notable in the new and expanded outdoor location sets, as well as the return of guest star Virginia Madsen as Doc's wife Hannah for three episodes, the often tough and gritty HELL ON WHEELS looks likely to keep its fans enthused and excited for a few more years yet (recently renewed for a third season) with its popular blending of action and character drama in a realistic but more audience friendly way than what was previously seen in dark period drama the likes of DEADWOOD.

Check out the official FACEBOOK page here: Hell On Wheels

KOOL TV BABE OF THE WEEK: '24' AND 'HAWAII FIVE-O's REIKO AYLESWORTH

Charm and talent radiate from popular actress Reiko Aylesworth. Image: ULIKE.

Being married to a controversial, high-profile crime taker like Detective Chin Ho Kelly was never going to be easy, but things certainly weren't fun under the sun for Doctor Malia Waincroft, as played by the lovely actress Reiko Aylesworth, during last years seasons finale of HAWAII FIVE-O, as she ended up being kidnapped and threatened with death by corrupt ex-cop Frank Delano (William Baldwin) and his goons, wanting to get in the good books of the shows fugitive top super baddie, Wo Fat (Mark Dacascos). She was saved from a grisly fate at the last moment, but we expect things aren't going to be the same again for the cosy Kelly union anytime soon...unless of course she gets to put a revenge-fulled bullet in her once captors head. Now that would be some great action satisfaction!

On-screen wedding bells with Daniel Dae Kim in HAWAII FIVE-O. Image: CBS.

Miss Aylesworth, a charming and talented actress with an intriguing Welsh, Dutch and Japanese ancestry, is no stranger to long running action/adventure drama, after her three year stint as tough but vulnerable CTU agent, later boss Michelle Dessler in the hit series 24. She also showed her female RAMBO skills as a modern-day Ellen Ripley successor, Kelly, a returned solider soon fighting xenomorphic hordes in her Southern Californian home town, during the horror/gore fest that was ALIEN VERSUS PREDATOR 2: REQUIEM.

As CTU agent/boss Michelle Dessler, in pursuit of the baddies, in 24. Image: FOX.

Soon to be seen in an upcoming second season episode of PERSON OF INTEREST, as well as the modern Sherlock Holmes series ELEMENTARY, beyond explosions, gunfire and chases, other fine series to have benefited from her guesting include the excellent third season of DAMAGES (as wife to a dodgy financial alumnus's son), a seemingly cut back run in CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION as a volatile new Forensics team member, playing caring hospital chaplain Julia Dupree in ER, and as pregnant islander Mary Goodspeed in the penultimate season of LOST.

The next series of HAWAII FIVE-O, which picks up other cliff-hanger threads from it's exciting second season finale, should hopefully be back on UK TV screens in the New Year.

GUARDIANS OF ANGELES. 'SOUTHLAND' SEASON FOUR ARRIVES ON UK TV...

Law and order? It's just another day at the office for our dedicated police heroes of SOUTHLAND. Image: TNT.

New faces join the brave and the bold complimenting the Los Angeles Police Department team of SOUTHLAND, returning for it's new fourth season, ten episode run of powerful social/personal drama on the UK's MORE4 channel from tomorrow. The standout newcomer will surely be the lovely Lucy Liu, who, before joining the modern Holmes in ELEMENTARY, plays officer Jessica Tang, new partner to the volatile and opinionated older cop John Cooper (big bear-like Michael Cudlitz), now off his painkiller addiction, on the law and order beat, and early on proving a bit of a cold fish as their relationship starts off on rocky ground. Further mixing things up a bit in the long-term storytelling, stalwart and relatable heroine Detective Lydia Adams (Regina King) finally gets a new colleague she enjoys working with, ex-military man Ruben Robinson (Dorian Missick), whilst back to cop status ex-detective, Sammy Bryant (the always compelling Shawn Hatosy), trying to erase the spectre of his partner's death the season previously, goes out on the road with straight-as-a-die officer Ben Sherman (Benjamin McKenzie), in a street partnership that, amongst the gangs and day to day problems of the city's residents, starts encouragingly but may end up in tragedy...

John Cooper (Michael Cudlitz) and Jessica Tang (Lucy Liu) make an intriguing new pairing.

Behind the scenes: Southland season 4 Three New Partnerships - YouTube
Lucy Liu talks Officer Tang's 'Southland' past - YouTube

It's felt like forever since we last saw the show on UK television (Channel 4, why are you treating such a classy show so poorly!), and KOOL TV has missed its regular fix of such finely crafted US drama. Welcome back SOUTHLAND!

Check out our previous SOUTHLAND features here: KOOL TV: SOUTHLAND